Portable bar or buffet



1957 G. w. JACKSON 2,808,305

r PORTABLE BAR 0R BUFFET Filed July 7, 1955 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ale-01 M514. J a/rso/v BY %1 A TTORNEY Oct. 1, 1957 G. w. JACKSONPORTABLE BAR OR BUFFET 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 7, 1955 nlU.

Flu

INVENTOR.

GEORGE W. JA OKSOIV ATTORNEY United This invention relates to an articleof furniture, and, more particularly, to a portable bar or buffet, orsimilar article.

One object of the invention is to provide a unit which can be used as aportable buffet or bar at outdoor barbecues or indoor buffet suppers andother indoor or outdoor types of entertainment.

Another object is to provide a portable buffet, which, when not in use,can be stored away in a relatively small space. When the bar of thepresent invention is folded, it takes up less than half the space itoccupies when opened. When folded, it can be fitted into a small portionof a closet or other storage space; when opened, the bar provides acounter surface for serving or preparing food or drinks, and a shelf andchannel to hold bottles and other supplies.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable bar that willbe rigid and stable when opened and can still be readily folded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable bar or buffetwhose Weight is well distributed about the carrying grip when the deviceis in its folded position.

Another object is to provide a portable buffet or bar which is locked inits open position and rigidified by cammed latches and by a novelarrangement of hooks and eyes, one hook being used with two differenteyes, depending on whether the device is in its opened or foldedposition.

Briefly, my portable bar or buffet comprises a three- 'sided verticalframe with hinged side extensions that are foldable inwardly to reducethe volume of the whole to less than half of the space consumed whenthis article is open. A removable counter is provided that nests in thefolded unit or covers the top surface of the opened buffet. The counterslower surface is grooved so as to lock with the top edges of the openedvertical frame. The buffet also has a novel pivoted shelf that swings upinto place when the unit is opened and folds to a vertical position. 7

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description of a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a portable buffet or bar embodyingthe principles of this invention. The buffet is shown in its fullyassembled position, as seen from the front.

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the device of Fig. 1, as seen fromthe rear.

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 2 but with the counter toptaken off and turned up to show the groove which'locks it to the baseframe and to show the structure whichis'obscured by the counter in Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the buffet in its completelyfolded position with the table top nested in place. A portion of one ofthe side-supporting members has been partly broken away and shown inphantom in order to disclose some parts which it would otherwiseobscure.

, Fig. 5 is a view in elevation and in section taken along the line 55in Fig. 4.'

2,808,305 Patented Oct. 1, 1957 Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the devicein its folded position, looking from the top of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 5 but with the device in itsfully opened position.

Fig. 8 is a view in plan and in section taken along the line 8-8 of Fig.7.

Fig; 9 is an enlarged view in section of the latching mechanism, shownin its locked position.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective showing thelatching member on the vertical support.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of the latchingmember on the swinging shelf.

The portable buffet or bar 15 is preferably made from wood, such asplywood, and comprises a base or frame assembly 16 which the other partsare hinged to,'nestd in, or supported by. The base or frame assembly 16comprises a solid front vertical panel 20 at the ends of which'arerigidly secured side support members 21 and 22. Bracing is provided by apair of horizontal members 23 and 24, the upper brace 23 forming part ofsome shelf space in the assembled'unit and performing other functions,described later on, both in its collapsed and in its opened positions,while the lower brace 24 provides a support for a counter top 25 whenthe top 25 is nested in the folded unit. When the unit 15 is in itsassembled position, the brace 24 acts solely as a brace.

Side extension members 26 and 27 are hinged to the respective end framemembers 21 and 22 by means of hinges 28, 29, 30 and 31. The rear portion32 of the bottom edge of the side members 21 and 22 may be recessed andsimilar cut-out portions 33 may be provided in the extension members 26and 27, so that when the unit is in its assembled position, four supportlegs 34, 35, 36, and 37 are provided, thereby accommodating surfaceirregularities of the floor or patio.

Hooks 40 and 41 are provided on the extension members 26 and 27,adjacent the hinges 28 and 30, and eyes 42 and 43 are provided on themembers'Zl and 22 on the opposite side of the hinges 28 and 30, sothatwhen the extension members 26, 27 are in their folded position (atright angles to the side members 21, 22) the hooks 40 and 41 can belocked into the eyes 42 and 43, thereby giving rigidity to the foldedstructure and preventing undesirable movement of the side extensions 26and 27. i

The counter top 25 is a generally rectangular member preferably providedwith a recessed rear edge 45 permitting better access during use. Itslower surface is provided with a groove 46 parallel to its front edge'47 and opening into grooves 48 and 49 parallel to its side edges 50 and51. The grooves 46, 48 and 49 are made substantially the thickness ofthe front panel member 20 and the side members 21 and 22,and the groovesare of substantial depth, so that when the side extension members 26 and27 are open, the counter top 25 can be placed over them with the upperedges of all the members of the frame 16 fitting into the grooves 46, 48and 49. The rear side edges 52 of the counter top 25 are thensubstantially flushwith the rearedges 53 and 54 of the extension members26 and 27, while the frontand side edges 47, 50 and 51 overhangbeyondthe frame. Eyes 55 and 56 are provided in thelower surface of thecounter top 25 for engagement by the hoolgs40and 4f1 when the counter 25is installed. g A

The upper brace 23 is provided with a pair of hinges 60 and 61 whichsupport a shelf member 62 formovement between, a vertical position and ahorizontal position. When horizontal, the shelf 62 is onthe same levelas the brace 23 and cooperates with it to provide, asubstantiallycontinuous, uniform surface extending from the front panel 2010, therear edges. 53. and 54,91. the ex tension members 26 and 27 andsubstantially flush with them, when the shelf 62 is brought up into itsassembled position. Extending rearwardly from the shelf 62 in thisposition is a stepdown rack or channel63 which may be used to supportbottles or other containersfor ready access and protect them from beingknocked over.

Rigidity for the shelf assembly is provided by two pairs of latches, onepair, 64, 65 being mounted on side flanges 66, 67 at the opposite endsof -the shelf 62, while the other pair 68, 69 is mountedon the insidefaces of the extension members 26 and 27. These latches 64, 65, 68, 69are cammed so-that when the shelf 62 is swung up and lifted higher thanthe level it will assume ultimately, the lower end of the latches 64,65will pass the end ofthe latches 68,69. Then when theshelf'62 isdropped to-its normal position, the latches 64, 65 drop inside thelatches 68, 69 instead of back outside them and act as stops for thecorrect shelf height. Thus complete rigidity is assured. For release,the shelf 62 is lifted and the side extension members, 26, '27are-spread slightly beyond their normal position; then'the'latchesarefree, and the shelf 62 can be dropped to its'folded position.

The brace 23 is provided with a hand-hold recess 70 along its inneredge, toact as a'hand-hold member. Therefore, when the unit is-in itscollapsed position it can be easily carried -about,-particularly sincethe height of the brace 23 is a convenient location for the handcarryinghold '70.

The brace 23 is also provided with a cut-out opening 71 through whichthe counter top 25 can be inserted when the device. is beingdisassembled. The cut out 71 is provided with an inset portion 72adapted to permit passage of one of the eyes 56, and when the countertop 25 has been properly inserted, its lower edge will rest on the lowerbrace 24, thereby assuring proper nesting without danger of scratchingany surfaces even when the device is moved. 7

As stated earlier, when the device is folded, it can be kept in arelatively small-storage space. When it is to be used, it is broughtout'from storage and carried, still folded, to the desired location, theengagement of the hooks 40, 41 in the eyes 42, 43 assuring rigidityduring carrying. The hand-hold 70 provides an easy means for carryingthe folded table with the properdistribution of weight.

Upon reaching the spot where the portable buffet or bar is to be used,the books 40, 41 are unlatched from the eyes 42, 43, and then the sideextension members 26 and 27 are swung out upon their hinges 28, 29, '30and 31. Next, the shelf 62 is swung up on its hinges 60, 61,

the cammed latches 64, 65 on the sides of the shelf 62 passing thelatches 68, 69 of the side extension members 26, 27, and then catchingin them when the shelf 62 is lowered a small amount. Then the countertop 25 is lifted out of its nested position and placed on top, itsgrooves 46, 48 and 4-9 engaging the upper edges of the supportingframe16 so that it fits smoothly thereon. The device is now ready to be used,and foods, drinks and materials therefor can be placed on the shelf 62or on the bottle rack 63 or on the bar counter 25.

Disassembly and folding are accomplished in substantially the reverseorder of the assembly.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, manychanges in construction and widely difiering embodiments andapplications of the invention will suggest themselves without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and thedescription herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be inany sense limiting.

1. A portable bar-buffet unit including in combination a three-sidedrigidly assembled vertical base frame, having a front panel and two sidepanels; a pair of narrow brace shelves each secured along their frontand end edges to all three panels, one of said brace shelves beingspaced above the lower edge of the panels and the other of which being 4spaced a substantial amount below the upper edge thereof, the upper saidbrace shelf having a cut-out storage opening adjacent the front paneland another cut out handle portion in its rear edge; a pair of verticalside extension members hinged to the rear edges of said side panels andadapted to be locked for storage at thereto and to be swung outtherefrom to serve as extensions of said side panels; a shelf memberhinged to the rear edge of the upper brace shelf and adapted to belatched to the side extension members after they have been swung outinto their extension position; and a unitary, completely detachable,unhinged counter top adapted to be nested in said out out storageopening and to rest on the lower brace shelf, when in disassembledposition and having on its lower surface a groove adapted, when inassembled position, to receive the upper edges of the panels and theextension members, when the latter are in their extension position andto overhang them at the front and sides.

2. The unit of claim 1 in which a hook is mounted movably on each ofsaid extension members in which eyes are provided on each side panel,for locking said hook therein when said unit is in its folded position,and in which eyes are also provided on the lower surface of said countertop for locking the same said hooks therein when said unit is in openposition.

3. The unit of claim 1 in which said counter top has a recessed portionalong its rear edge.

4. The unit of claim 1 in which said shelf member is provided at itsrear edge with a depending channel member adapted to accommodate bottlesand other articles rearwardly of said extension members.

5. The unit of claim 1 in which a-pair of latch-stop members, one ateach side of said shelf, is adapted to en-, gage a substantiallyidentical inverted latch-stop member on said extension members inerected position.

6. The unit of claim 5 in which one pair of said latches each comprisean L-shaped'member extending out from said extension member with itsvertical portion parallel thereto, and in which the cooperating latcheseach comprise an inverted version of the preceding latch, said latchesbeing cammed to provide passage past each other when the shelf is beingswung up, the shelf latch then dropping into the extension latch.

7. A portable bar-buffet unit including in combination a three-sidedrigidly assembled vertical base frame, having a front panel and two sidepanels; a pair of narrow horizontal brace shelves each secured to allthree panels, one of which is spaced above the lower edge and the otherof which is spaced a substantial amount below the upper edge, the uppersaid brace shelf having a cut out storage opening adjacent the frontpanel and another cut out handle portion in its rear edge; a pair ofvertical side extension members hinged to the rear edges of said sidepanels and adapted to be locked for storage at 90 thereto and to beswung out therefrom to serve as an extension of said side panels; and acompletely detachable, rigid, flat counter top adapted to be nested insaid cut out storage opening and rest on the lower said brace shelf whendetached and having on its lower surface a groove adapted to receive theupper edges of the panels and the extension members, when the latter arein their extension position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS168,879 Colbert Oct. 19, 1875 451,597 Magnussan May 5, 1891 728,673 ClayMay 19, 1903 1,839,070 Wiener Dec. 29, 1931 1,891,157 Heuer Dec. 13,1932 1,913,387 Hayward June 13, 1933 1,986,077 Spang Jan. 1, 1935FOREIGN PATENTS 9,550 Switzerland Jan. 14,1895

